Hepatoprotective effect of royal jelly on dibutyl phthalate-induced liver injury in rats

Phthalate esters, such as dibutyl phthalate (DBP), are extensively utilized and human and animal exposure leads to serious toxic effects, including hepatotoxicity. In the present study the protective effects of royal jelly (RJ) on DBP-induced liver damage was investigated. A total number of ۴۰ Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into eight groups (n = ۵): control (corn oil), DBP (۵۰۰ mg kg-۱), RJ (۲۰۰ mg kg۱), Quercetin (QCN; ۵۰.۰۰ mg kg-۱), RJ (۱۰۰ mg kg-۱) + DBP, RJ (۲۰۰ mg kg-۱) + DBP, RJ (۳۰۰ mg kg-۱) + DBP, QCN (۵۰.۰۰ mg kg-۱) + DBP. After ۲۸ days of daily oral gavage treatment, animals were euthanized. The insulin resistance index, lipid profile and hepatic enzymes were measured on the collected serum samples. Moreover, oxidative and nitrosative stress biomarkers were determined in the liver. Histopathological alterations and ultimately cytochrome P۴۵۰ ۲E۱ (CYP۲E۱) activity was also assessed. Data obtained revealed that RJ significantly reduced the insulin resistance index and liver enzymes level in RJ-DBP groups. At the same time, RJ recovered the DBP-induced oxidative stress and restored the DBP-depleted glutathione. Moreover, RJ improved lipid profile and reduced significantly the DBP-induced hepatic CYP ۲E۱ activity in RJ-DBP groups. Dibutyl phthalate induced-hepatic damage such as necrosis of hepatocytes and scattered bleeding was alleviated in RJ-DBP group. Our data suggested that the administration of RJ could protect the DBP-induced hepatic functional and structural alterations. The RJ protective effects might be attributed to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and reduced CYP ۲E۱ activity.

کلیدواژه ها:

Dibutyl phthalate ، Hepatotoxicity ، Inflammation ، Insulin resistance ، Oxidative stress